Treatment timing and multidisciplinary approach in Apert syndrome

Apert syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia and symmetric syndactyly of hands and feet. Abnormalities associated with Apert syndrome include premature fusion of coronal sutures system (coronal sutures and less frequently lambdoid suture) resulting in brachiturricephalic dismorphism and impaired skull base growth. After this brief explanation it is clear that these anatomical abnormalities may have a negative impact on the ability to perform essential functions. Due to the complexity of the syndrome a multidisciplinary (respiratory, cerebral, maxillo-mandibular, dental, ophthalmic and orthopaedic) approach is necessary in treating the psychological, aesthetic and functional issues. The aim of this paper is to analyse the different functional issues and surgical methods trying to enhance results through a treatment plan which includes different specialities involved in Apert syndrome treatment. Reduced intellectual capacity is associated to the high number of general anaesthesia the small patients are subject to. Therefore the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment plan in these patients has established integrated and tailored surgical procedures based on the patients’ age in order to reduce the number of general anaesthesia, thus simplifying therapy for both Apert patients and their family members

The interaction of native DNA with iron(III)-N,N’-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-chloride

The interaction between native calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and FeIII-N,N′-ethylene-bis (salicylideneiminato)- chloride, Fe(Salen)Cl, was investigated in aqueous solutions by UV-visible (UV-vis) absorption, circular dichroism (CD), thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements. The results obtained from CD, UV-vis and viscosity measurements exclude DNA intercalation and can be interpreted in terms of an electrostatic binding between the Fe(Salen)+ cation and the phosphate groups of DNA. The trend of the UV-vis absorption band of the Fe(Salen)Cl complex at different ratios [DNAphosphate]/[Fe(Salen)Cl] and the large increase of the melting temperature of DNA in the presence of Fe(Salen)Cl, support the hypothesis of an external electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged DNA double helix and the axially stacked positively charged Fe(Salen)+ moieties, analogously to what reported for a number of porphyrazines and metal-porphyrazine complexes interacting with DNA

Physico-Chemical Properties and Valorization of Biopolymers Derived from Food Processing Waste

The widespread use of synthetic plastics, as well as the waste produced at the end of their life cycle, poses serious environmental issues. In this context, bio-based plastics, i.e., natural polymers produced from renewable resources, represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based materials. One potential source of biopolymers is waste from the food industry, the use of which also provides a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to waste management. Thus, the aim of this work concerns the extraction of polysaccharide fractions from lemon, tomato and fennel waste. Characterizing the chemical–physical and thermodynamic properties of these polysaccharides is an essential step in evaluating their potential applications. Hence, the solubility of the extracted polysaccharides in different solvents, including water and organic solvents, was determined since it is an important parameter that determines their properties and applications. Also, acid-base titration was carried out, along with thermoanalytical tests through differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the electrospinning of waste polysaccharides was investigated to explore the feasibility of obtaining polysaccharide-based membranes. Indeed, electrospun fibers are a promising structure/system via which it is possible to apply waste polysaccharides in packaging or well-being applications. Thanks to processing feasibility, it is possible to electrospin waste polysaccharides by combining them with different materials to obtain porous 3D membranes made of nanosized fibers

The use of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to identify postnatal depression symptoms at well child visit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>1) to evaluate the role of the pediatrician in detecting postnatal depression (PD) symptoms by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); 2) to detect factors increasing the risk of PD and, 3) to assess the importance of scores gained from fathers' questionnaire.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>we surveyed 1122 mothers and 499 fathers who were assessed using the EPDS during the first well-child visit. After 5 weeks, high scoring parents, completed a second EPDS. High scoring parents were examined by a psychiatrist who had to confirm the PD diagnosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>26.6% of mothers and 12.6% of fathers at the first visit, 19.0% of mothers and 9.1% of fathers at the second visit, gained scores signaling the risk of PD. Four mothers and two fathers had confirmed PD diagnosis. Younger maternal age, non-Italian nationality and low socio-economic condition were related to higher EPDS scores.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PD is common in the average population. Using a simple and standardized instrument, pediatricians are able to detect parents with higher risk of suffering from PD.</p

Rotation-assisted Abrasive Fluidised Bed Machining of AlSi10Mg parts made through Selective Laser Melting Technology

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Assessment of the Mechanical Properties of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced through Selective Laser Melting Under Different Conditions

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Health conditions of inmates in Italy

Abstract Background Several studies have shown that prison is characterized by a higher prevalence of chronic diseases than unconfined settings. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and health of inmates, focusing on internal diseases. Methods We designed a specific clinical record using the Python programming language. We considered all of the diagnoses according to the ICD-9-CM. Results Of a total of 17,086 inmates, 15,751 were enrolled in our study (M = 14,835; F = 869), corresponding to 92.2% of the entire inmate population (mean age of 39.6 years). The project involved a total of 57 detention facilities in six Italian regions (for a total of 28% of all detainees in Italy), as counted in a census taken on February 3, 2014. From the entire study sample, 32.5% of prisoners did not present any disorders, while 67.5% suffered from at least one disease. The most frequent pathologies were psychiatric (41.3%), digestive (14.5%), infectious (11.5%), cardiovascular (11.4%), endocrine, metabolic, and immune (8.6%), and respiratory (5.4%). Conclusion The findings showed that a large number of detainees were affected by several chronic conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with an unusually high prevalence for such a young population. Therefore, a series of preventive measures is recommended to strengthen the entire care process and improve the health and living conditions of prisoners

PI3Kδ Inhibition as a Potential Therapeutic Target in COVID-19

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Dative constructions in Romance and beyond

This book offers a comprehensive account of dative structures across languages –with an important, though not exclusive, focus on the Romance family. As is well-known, datives play a central role in a variety of structures, ranging from ditransitive constructions to cliticization of indirect objects and differentially marked direct objects, and including also psychological predicates, possessor or causative constructions, among many others. As interest in all these topics has increased significantly over the past three decades, this volume provides an overdue update on the state of the art. Accordingly, the chapters in this volume account for both widely discussed patterns of dative constructions as well as those that are relatively unknown